I have always enjoyed Lip's interviews. I was thinking of who I'd like to see Lip interview next. My 1st two choices would be from the 1983 team, that is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Western Division Championship. So what person, connected with the White Sox, would you like to see Lip interview next?

Greg Luzinski, who grew up in the Chicago area, played on some great Phillies teams and then finished his career back home with the White Sox. I'd love to hear what he has been up to since he retired (I seem to remember he was on the Royals coaching staff at one point). I'd also like to hear what his experiences in coming back to Chicago to finsih his career.

As evidenced by my name, I'd also like to hear from Dennis Lamp. Dennis came to the Sox in a rare trade with the Cubs. In 1981 he pitched a memorable 1 hitter against the Brewers. I've liked Lamp since he presented me with a trophy for my 1st place Little League team in 1981. In the Q&A session that he held, I asked him what he thought of Greg Luzinski as a teammate, which he said something to the effect that Bull is a great teammate. Please forgive my question, as I was 9 years old at the time.

sachin

02-19-2013, 08:55 AM

Steve Kemp! Richard Dotson! Phil Bradley!

BainesHOF

02-19-2013, 10:54 AM

Richie Zisk.

Jerry Dybzinski.

Golden Sox

02-19-2013, 10:55 AM

I would like to see him interview the CEO of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf. Have an extensive interview with him which will focus on the future of the White Sox franchise. There have been conflicting stories about who will take over the White Sox in the future. Interviewing Reinsdorf about the future of the White Sox should interest all White Sox fans.

SephClone89

02-19-2013, 11:23 AM

In the Q&A session that he held, I asked him what he thought of Greg Luzinski as a teammate, which he said something to the effect that Bull is a great teammate. Please forgive my question, as I was 9 years old at the time.

Lamp thanks for the kind words. One of the most important items in determining who I interview is if I can actually contact said person.

The White Sox generally haven't been that helpful when it comes down to giving out personal information of that type (understandably so) Often I have to prowl the internet or call former interview subjects to see if they can give me the names or phone numbers of former teammates who might be willing to share their memories.

I'm prepared to restart interviews and such as soon as my broadcasting basketball is over but that's also going to depend on some other things getting worked out with others.

If that comes to pass, I'd be happy to do interviews, begin new "audio memories" stories focusing on a particular decade with radio cuts and so on.

We'll see, hopefully things get done soon. It's been awhile!

Regarding the names specifically listed in the previous posts before mine.

I do have some contract info for Greg and Richard (don't know how accurate it is) Zisk has basically become a hermit and from what I understand wants little to do with the Sox, perhaps because of the way he feels he was treated by the fans after he left. Dibber, last I heard lives in Colorado and is a minister although again I don't have specifics for him. Have no idea what happened to or where Kemp or Bradley are.

As far as JR, that's one of the people on my 'dream list' of interviews along with people like Aparicio, Allen and Fisk...but the reality is JR doesn't do a lot of those extensive type interviews and he certainly isn't going to do them with a person representing a web site. I've let some folks know that I'd love to speak to him or Einhorn at length but unfortunately I just don't think that's going to happen.

Lip

Lip Man 1

02-19-2013, 01:28 PM

By the way if any fans have contact info for former Sox players they'd like to share you can contact me directly with that info. Please be as complete and accurate as possible. (Don't just say, I know Rich Morales lives in California. It's hard to do anything with that.)

The odds are though that at least some of the info I have is incorrect and I may not be able to contact some of the folks that I have listed.

Lip

PaleHoser

02-19-2013, 05:41 PM

Tony La Russa. It would be interesting to hear about 1983 and 1990 in particular.

Bobby Thigpen. Would love to hear about coming through the system as both a player and as a coach. I'd like to know what he thinks of some of the pitchers we have in the system that he has worked with.

BainesHOF

02-19-2013, 06:53 PM

Did the fans really treat Zisk that badly when he left? I heard he doesn't sign autographs, something about being the victim of identity theft. I'd love to see Zisk return as a Soxfest guest and I know he'd be popular among collectors. I think people only have positive memories of the guy and that '77 season.

If you could talk to Dybzinski about the '83 team and, of course, his baserunning blunder, that would be awesome. He's sort of our Bartman. I wonder how he's dealt with a mistake that people still talk about. I was at Game 4 of the '83 playoffs and met him by the players parking lot after the game while I was seeking autographs. He looked lost.

Brian26

02-19-2013, 08:19 PM

As far as JR, that's one of the people on my 'dream list' of interviews along with people like Aparicio, Allen and Fisk...but the reality is JR doesn't do a lot of those extensive type interviews and he certainly isn't going to do them with a person representing a web site. I've let some folks know that I'd love to speak to him or Einhorn at length but unfortunately I just don't think that's going to happen.

Lip

I think if you ever got Reinsdorf, that would be your white whale. You'd have to retire after that.

Garfein did a pretty good sit down interview with Reinsdorf about a year ago on Comcast. It was a great interview, but I'm sure JR felt very safe with Chuck.

Lamp81

02-19-2013, 10:46 PM

Another great interview would be with Kenny Williams. I'd think that Kenny has a little more free time now, and Lip would have a better chance of getting him to talk, maybe even better if you said the interview will stay away fom his tenure as GM.

I know I'd love to hear from KW on his playing career. He was a College Football player who chose the baseball route. He was labled a "Can't Miss" prospect, who did "miss". He started out as an outfielder who was shifted to 3B. Does KW think that had any part of his failed playing career?

What's it like to be a father on an NFL player (Kyle Williams of the 49ers) who has been the Goat of an NFC Championship game, and now that has suffered concussions. Are Kenny and Kyle afraid of the brain issues that have come down the road for NFL players with multiple concussions? Did Kenny ever try and steer Kyle to baseball like he and his other sons have done?

I just think there is a lot there to hear from KW, w/o going into his GM tenure, but that too would be a goldmine as well.

Lip Man 1

02-19-2013, 11:20 PM

Lamp:

I suspect Kenny is one of those basically off-limits to folks like myself who aren't associated with the mainstream media. I'd certainly love to speak with him but there's no way I could do that interview and not discuss his tenure as a G.M.

I've asked the Sox and the person in charge of the phone interviews with web site representatives if he could schedule someone other than Buddy Bell, Brooks Boyer or a minor league player from Double-AA. Nothing against those folks but Buddy's been on twice, Brooks three times and the minor league players to my knowledge have never made it up to the Sox.

Some different subjects would be much appreciated but again that may simply be off limits to us.

Lip

StillMissOzzie

02-19-2013, 11:23 PM

Bob Locker, if only so you could ask him if he remembered 3 little grade school dip****s calling him up at his personal residence and chatting for 10-15 minutes, some 45+ years ago. He send us back 3 autographed postcard-sized black & white pictures that are probably still at my mom's house.

SMO
:crossfingers::praying:

eastchicagosoxfan

02-20-2013, 05:40 AM

LaMarr Hoyt would be an interesting interview.

Lip, I enjoyed the Pete Ward interview. I didn't know much about him, nor could I find out much through internet searches etc. I wondered what injuries he had, and why his career essentialy ended before he was 30, especially after such a great start.

Noneck

02-20-2013, 11:15 AM

I really thought a Dick Allen interview was on the way considering the connect Lip had with him at the 72 reunion.

The one I would like is an interview with Ed DeBartolo Jr. I would love to know what really went on when the DeBartolo family almost bought the Sox. And of course to dream what could have been.

MinnieMinoso

02-20-2013, 02:41 PM

I notice that Jim Rivera is on your list. He is now 90 years old . I think he would be an interesting interview from the 1959 team.

Chez

02-20-2013, 02:48 PM

Sticking with the 1983 theme, I'd like to see Lip interview Tony Bernazard. He was a solid player for the Sox then got traded mid-season for our igniter -- Julio Cruz. It would be interesting to hear about what it was like to be traded from a team that seemingly gelled after he left. After his playing days were over, Tony had an eventful stint as an assistant general manager for the Mets under Omar Minaya.

Domeshot17

02-20-2013, 04:23 PM

would be really cool if someone like Kenny Williams did a twitter style interview between Lip and Members of WSI. Could you imagine what that would do for hits/paid members on this site?

RKMeibalane

02-20-2013, 04:25 PM

:jerry

*TINKER* *TINKER* *TINKER*

SI1020

02-20-2013, 04:32 PM

I really thought a Dick Allen interview was on the way considering the connect Lip had with him at the 72 reunion.

The one I would like is an interview with Ed DeBartolo Jr. I would love to know what really went on when the DeBartolo family almost bought the Sox. And of course to dream what could have been. That is one I'd also like to read.

sachin

02-20-2013, 06:33 PM

Not meant to be a diss, but can you do an interview with someone that's a "Fan Favorite" and not just "Random Dude Who Was Available and Tracked Down"? No offense, but Marc Hill was never that spectacular of a player on either side of the plate, whereas Karkovice was a great defensive catcher who played on some good teams in the 90s and might be an interesting read.

Joe Crede would be a good get. Rudy Law might be kinda fun. James Baldwin would be pretty funny. Just some suggestions...

TomBradley72

02-20-2013, 07:09 PM

Not meant to be a diss, but can you do an interview with someone that's a "Fan Favorite" and not just "Random Dude Who Was Available and Tracked Down"? No offense, but Marc Hill was never that spectacular of a player on either side of the plate, whereas Karkovice was a great defensive catcher who played on some good teams in the 90s and might be an interesting read.

Joe Crede would be a good get. Rudy Law might be kinda fun. James Baldwin would be pretty funny. Just some suggestions...

You do realize that this is not Lip's "job" but strictly a volunteer effort- marc Hill was a beloved back up on a very meaningful team (1983)- and if you read the actuall interview- its pretty interesting.

sachin

02-20-2013, 07:16 PM

TB72 -- You're right. Just some suggestions on my part, sorry if I seemed too demanding.

Lip Man 1

02-20-2013, 10:50 PM

Folks:

Again the single biggest factor is if I can track a player down. I've spent hours looking on the internet for certain players and come up empty, I've spent a few minutes looking for someone and found him.

It's not an exact science. Sorry. It's not like I can call the Sox and say, "hey give me this info." That's confidential. My sources who used to be a big help at the Tribune no longer work there.

Once I find a player then I take stock if I think he'd be a good interview. Was he with the club for a period of time, or just a season...was he part of some memorable clubs...was he involved in a historic play or situation.

Frankly sometimes I decide (not often) on an interview because I LIKED THE GUY.

Since I'm doing the work (and between doing the interview, transcribing it and formatting what I typed it takes about eight hours) I figure I've got the right to talk to whom I want every now and again.

Like I said earlier I'm ready to get back after it and appreciate the thoughts. Hopefully if things are worked out we can resume soon. :D:

Lip

Railsplitter

02-20-2013, 11:12 PM

Tony La Russa. It would be interesting to hear about 1983 and 1990 in particular.

Seconded
Did the fans really treat Zisk that badly when he left? I heard he doesn't sign autographs, something about being the victim of identity theft. I'd love to see Zisk return as a Soxfest guest and I know he'd be popular among collectors. I think people only have positive memories of the guy and that '77 season.

I was at a game im 1979 where Zisk received a roound of boos from the Sox fans.

Nellie_Fox

02-21-2013, 12:54 AM

Not meant to be a diss, but can you do an interview with someone that's a "Fan Favorite" and not just "Random Dude Who Was Available and Tracked Down"? No offense, but Marc Hill was never that spectacular of a player on either side of the plate, whereas Karkovice was a great defensive catcher who played on some good teams in the 90s and might be an interesting read.The Booter was very popular with the fans, but you're too young to know that.

Wedema

02-21-2013, 08:41 PM

Jack Smalling claims to have the home addresses' of over 88% of all living ex-major league players:

http://www.baseballaddresses.com/

Lip Man 1

02-22-2013, 12:58 AM

For a price and what I actually need are phone numbers. I have no idea how many of them are accurate.

Lip

Nellie_Fox

02-22-2013, 01:01 AM

You do realize that this is not Lip's "job" but strictly a volunteer effort- marc Hill was a beloved back up on a very meaningful team (1983)- and if you read the actuall interview- its pretty interesting.Yeah, no matter how many disclaimers are in the post (when you say "not meant to be a diss" and "no offense, but" you know you're dissing and offending) it's pretty bold to complain about the interviews that Lip provides for free on a board that you're posting on for free.

sachin

02-22-2013, 09:32 AM

Yeah, no matter how many disclaimers are in the post (when you say "not meant to be a diss" and "no offense, but" you know you're dissing and offending) it's pretty bold to complain about the interviews that Lip provides for free on a board that you're posting on for free.

Wow, that was really uncalled for. I also wrote that I didn't mean to come across as too demanding. Do you really think it's necessary to call me out on something that I later apologized for, or are you just havin' a bad day? It's an honest question, doubtful that you'll answer it.

tebman

02-22-2013, 12:50 PM

By the way if any fans have contact info for former Sox players they'd like to share you can contact me directly with that info. Please be as complete and accurate as possible. (Don't just say, I know Rich Morales lives in California. It's hard to do anything with that.)

I have some reliable contact info for the following people:

(...remarkable list...)

The odds are though that at least some of the info I have is incorrect and I may not be able to contact some of the folks that I have listed

Lip, I want to echo Lamp81's original post and say how much I appreciate the interviews. I'm impressed at your ability to find the interview subjects and at the specificity of the questions. Your handle on Sox history makes them great reading.

I have a friend who's a general-interest journalist, and he's told me that in his experience once someone has been contacted for an interview they're almost always cooperative. But he also said that it falls apart quickly if the interviewer doesn't know what he's talking about or if it's obvious he hasn't prepared. Thatís clearly not a problem in these.

For me, Pete Wardís interview a couple of years ago provided great background when I learned he was going to be at SoxFest this year. Ward was a favorite from my youth; in those days my dad and I debated about his skill. I got to talk to him briefly after he joked about his defensive limitations at one of the seminars. I told him I always thought he was a better fielder than my father did, and he thanked me. Reading the interview gave me insight into his playing days that I wouldnít have gotten otherwise.

My choice from that list of contacts would be Dave Nicholson. I remember how he was hyped when he came to the Sox and how badly he flopped when he played. His record is what it is, but Iíd love to read how he dealt with that experience and what he did after baseball. Itís those kinds of stories that flesh out the bigger picture and make the interviews work.

Nellie_Fox

02-22-2013, 01:03 PM

Wow, that was really uncalled for. I also wrote that I didn't mean to come across as too demanding. Do you really think it's necessary to call me out on something that I later apologized for, or are you just havin' a bad day? It's an honest question, doubtful that you'll answer it.I didn't see your subsequent one liner. But seriously, when you feel it's necessary to put in your post things like "not meant to be a diss" and "no offense, but" and referring to the interviews as "some random dude" you should really think about whether to hit the "submit reply" button, since you apparently already know that the post is going to be potentially offensive.

Lip Man 1

02-22-2013, 01:33 PM

Teb:

Many thanks. "Big Nick" would make an interesting subject. Al Lopez made the comment to save his first box score with the Sox because someday it would be in the Hall of Fame. Had tremendous power but could never make contact enough to be a factor (outside of 1963).

Jim Landis told me that one time after a game where he struck out three or four times, he turned the shower knobs for the hot and cold water so tight after he was through that nobody else could get them open so water could flow and they could take a shower!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lip

Lamp81

02-28-2013, 06:52 PM

Well Lip, I found some Dennis Lamp info. As of January 2011, he was working in a Newport Beach grocery store.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/30/sports/la-sp-crowe-20110131

If your travels take you to Newport Beach, stop by and ask to interview Dennis L.

Brian26

02-28-2013, 08:20 PM

Not meant to be a diss, but can you do an interview with someone that's a "Fan Favorite" and not just "Random Dude Who Was Available and Tracked Down"? No offense, but Marc Hill was never that spectacular of a player on either side of the plate, whereas Karkovice was a great defensive catcher who played on some good teams in the 90s and might be an interesting read.

Joe Crede would be a good get. Rudy Law might be kinda fun. James Baldwin would be pretty funny. Just some suggestions...

You do realize that this is not Lip's "job" but strictly a volunteer effort- marc Hill was a beloved back up on a very meaningful team (1983)- and if you read the actuall interview- its pretty interesting.

Let me just add one other thought on this, as I read a lot of books and interviews about famous sports team or memorable eras. Sometimes the most insightful interviews aren't with the best athletes, but with the guys who were on the periphery taking it all in.

When I'm reading about the '83 Sox, I want to see as many angles and hear as many voices as I can. A guy like Marc Hill can have some great perspective on a team like that.

For some reason, you're equating talent on the field with interview insight, which is really, really silly. Karkovice was a better defensive catcher, so that makes him funnier or more anecdotal or have a better memory for more stories, etc? Of course not.

Brian26

02-28-2013, 08:23 PM

Well Lip, I found some Dennis Lamp info. As of January 2011, he was working in a Newport Beach grocery store.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/30/sports/la-sp-crowe-20110131

If your travels take you to Newport Beach, stop by and ask to interview Dennis L.

Great find. Fun story.

Bucky F. Dent

03-01-2013, 09:50 AM

Richie Zisk. I loved being a fan of the Southside Hitmen. Would be intrigued to see what it was like being a player on that team.

Lip Man 1

03-01-2013, 12:24 PM

Everything I've been told and some of what I've seen tells me that Richie is not responding to requests from the Sox, Sox web sites or fans. I'm hearing he is still angry at the way he feels he was treated after he left the team.

Lip

Noneck

03-01-2013, 03:23 PM

Lip,

Zisk would have the right place and right interviewer to finally get things off his chest.

sunofgold

03-01-2013, 03:32 PM

He was involved in the trade that brought Ozzie to the White Sox organization. Without that trade, no championship for us in 2005.

And we traded Bucky Dent to get Hoyt from the Yankees.

And guess who was going to pitch game 5 in the playoffs in 1983 if that series would have went 5 games.

Lip Man 1

03-01-2013, 04:09 PM

I have a number for LaMarr in South Carolina and actually spoke to him once. When I called that number again it rang and rang and no one answered. Haven't been able to reach him since.

Lip

ode to veeck

03-26-2013, 06:13 PM

I would like to see him interview the CEO of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf. Have an extensive interview with him which will focus on the future of the White Sox franchise. There have been conflicting stories about who will take over the White Sox in the future. Interviewing Reinsdorf about the future of the White Sox should interest all White Sox fans.

two thumbs up!

Lip Man 1

03-26-2013, 07:49 PM

Would love to get JR for a few hours but that's probably not going to happen. He schedules interviews on his own terms and I've never heard of him doing something with a 'non official' Sox site. Basically mainstream media members and that's it.

Lip

Noneck

04-17-2013, 11:57 PM

Perri Irmer, former executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority as the last interview here. Then on to 60 minutes sports.